The ADH will now report all suspected and lab confirmed cases of mumps as part of the total case count.Total Cases Under Investigation: 1,824**This is an active outbreak. Mumps case counts are provisional and include cases that are currently being investigated. Because this number is provisional, the numbers reported may occasionally decrease if lab tests are negative for mumps.Throughout this outbreak, 90% to 95% of school-aged children and 30% to 40% of adults involved in the outbreak have been fully immunized. The vaccine is not perfect. Two doses of the MMR shot are about 88% effective at preventing the mumps. That means that if you have 100 people who are fully vaccinated, 88 of them will be fully protected. The remaining 12 will still be vulnerable to mumps. If it were not for the vaccine, however, we would be seeing many, many more cases of the mumps. Also, we have only seen a few cases with complications, like swelling of the brain or testicles. Normally, we would expect to see many more persons with complications. This tells us that even though some vaccinated individuals are still getting the mumps, they are experiencing mild disease. The vaccine remains the best protection we have against the mumps. Updated 12/2/16 4:42 p.m.

In response to the outbreak, ADH is requiring students in the same school with vaccine exemptions for the MMR (Mumps, Measles, and Rubella) vaccine to be excluded from school for 26 days from the date of exposure and until the outbreak has ended. Students with non-medical exemptions, who receive the recommended doses of MMR vaccine, may return to school immediately. Right now, this outbreak affects schools in the Huntsville, Rogers, and Springdale School Districts. ADH is working with people who have potentially been exposed and contacting area clinics and hospitals to make sure they are aware that they may see cases of Mumps.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mumps is a viral illness that is transmitted by direct contact with respiratory droplets or saliva from an infected person. It is best known for painful, swollen salivary glands thatshow up as puffy cheeks and swollen jaw. Boys may also have painful, swollen testicles. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscles aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. There is no treatment, and symptoms usually resolve themselves within a few weeks. Mumps is usually a mild disease in children, but adults may have more serious disease with complications.

The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine is 88 percent effective in preventing mumps. It is a live virus vaccine and is not recommended for pregnant women or patients with a weakened immune system. Adults born before 1957 are generally considered to be immune to mumps and do not need to receive the MMR vaccine.

The current CDC recommendations for MMR vaccination are as follows:

·For children younger than 6 years of age, one dose of MMR vaccine or MMRV (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella) vaccine at age 12-15 months, followed by a second dose of either MMR vaccine or MMRVvaccine at age 4-6 years.

·For children age 7 through 18 years not previously vaccinated, one dose of MMR vaccine or MMRV vaccine, followed by a second dose of either MMR vaccine or MMRV vaccine at least 4 weeks after the first dose.

·For adults born in 1957 or later and not previously vaccinated, one dose of MMR vaccine.

·A second dose of MMR vaccine is recommended for adults born in 1957 or later, who are students in a post-secondary educational institution, work in a health care facility, or plan to travel internationally.The second dose should be administered a minimum of 28 days after the first dose.

MMR vaccines are available at the Local Health Unit in your county, and may also be available at your doctor’s office or your local pharmacy.

The Arkansas Department of Health is currently responding to an active outbreak of Mumps that currently is affecting areas of NW Arkansas. The list below includes schools that have confirmed cases of mumps. It does not include schools that only have suspect cases or cases actively being investigated.

It is important to understand that the list may expand if new cases are identified. Schools will also be removed from the list when the 26 day exclusion period is reached with no additional cases identified in that setting. Any reporting or redistribution of the list should include the report date. The most effective course of action to protect against the spread of the Mumps is to make sure you and your family members are up-to-date on the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.